The new production, directed by Laurie Sansom alongside theatre company Frantic Assembly's Georgina Lamb, charts the tale of a charismatic schoolmistress in the 1930s whose love for all things Italian threatens to destroy herself and the school when she begins to embrace fascism.

And the music for the show is being performed by Northampton School for Girls' choir.

Music teacher Julie Shaw, who has been training the choir and teaching actor John Killoran how to conduct, said the choir were originally asked to take part after Mr Sansom saw them perform with Northampton Bach Choir in February. She said: "It's been absolutely amazing for me and the girls, we will never forget it."

Mr Sansom added: "It's been great fun working with the choir. I knew they were a fantastic choir but I had no idea they could act as well.

"They have had a really good time which makes all the difference and they have been doing quite complicated stuff and worked really professionally. I would love to get them involved again in the future."

Claire Afford, aged 14, from Woodland Avenue, Abington, said: "We have learned so much in such a short space of time. Everyone has remembered what they have had to do though and everyone has been so nice. The professional actors have been so welcoming."

Fellow student Rosalind Martin, aged 14, from Birchfield Avenue, Abington, said: "I have done school productions before but this is completely amazing, it's a completely different way of working."

And Louise Jones, aged 16 from Whernside Way, Duston, said: "I've wanted to do this for my whole life. This time last year I wouldn't have dreamed we would be doing something like this."

John Killoran, a professional actor who plays music teacher Gordon Lowther in the play, said the school had been invaluable. He said: "I had never conducted anything before I met Julie a couple of weeks ago and I felt quite nervous, but she has been very kind. The choir absolutely love her as well."